Contender

Using fully insulated, big sheds are the only way forward - have worked with both traditional huts (boss used to do 150.000 phessies and partridges per season) and had my own set up with big sheds are there are no comparison at all! No backache, better growth rate overall, less loss, % savings on gas (yes, I'm not kidding!). Top quality poults at reasonably price because some game rearers have been able to cut costs drastically and at the same time improve on husbandry.

OK - you need to find someone that can teach you how to train your dog! sending it away for 3 weeks will not solve your problem in the long run which is how to 'control' a working cocker. Ask yourself: 'what do I know about working cockers? what have they been bred to do?' and then then say to yourself: ' we've spent 100 years creating this breed so I'm not going to be able to change it within 3 weeks' You need to do some serious research into working cockers and you need help to train it - you may never have any intention of working it on a shoot but you still need to train it as if you w

I have got to question where you get you percentages from? Wont the genes be split 50/50 between both parents? All your other points make good sense though. genetic's 101. bitch= x x dog = x y the y chromo is basically zero in a dogs make up so the bitch makes up 75% where as the dog makes up only 25% that 25% from the dog brings plenty to any future pups and stamps common traits both good and bad. a bit like adding a bit of bully to a lurcher line. So all you blokes all take after your mothers, then? you've just made the worlds best argument for why we should get

You might just realise that it will be cheaper to go out and buy a well bred puppy which is from kc reg parents and a good breeder - have you got buyers for any of the other pups that your bitch might get? have you got the money to fork out in case of a problem whelping like for a caesarean? A top bred lab pup will cost you £500-£600 - you'll be lucky to get £200 for any puppy you might get out of mating your bitch (no papers, no health checks either, I presume) then add your feed costs, worming, whelping box (even a homemade one costs money)none sold puppies that you may hold longer and

Most of my dogs will retrieve squirrels no problem but as Eddie says they really should be stone dead as they are otherwise nasty things. My dogs are labs and then a cocker. A good retrieving dog should really retrieve anything as long as it has been shot regardless of size or smell. Natasha

I would try NFU - they do specific gundog insurance. Natasha

Weren't most of the dogs in that program bought as 'pure breds'? seem to remember that one was cocker spaniel and the other was a king charles? I guess that people will have to learn that they need to ask the breeder some questions before putting any money down, like paper work, to see the parents and so on. Yesterday, I had a family coming here to have a look at my bitch that is in pup, the sire and one of the dogs that I kept back from the last mating but these people have done their research before the pups are even born... Natasha

Have a word with Nicola from Druimmuir spaniels - I think she may have a very nice springer going Natasha

Can't wait - bring on the HOT Summer

The trainer has just won the cocker FT Championship Ahh, but that doesn't necessary make him a good trainer of other people - can think of a couple that have won the Retriever championship but they are completely useless at training others. BUT let me quickly add that I've only heard positive reports about Hamptworth and have heard it recommended by others. I would suggest to book a lesson and give it a try and see how you get on with the trainer. Natasha

Good luck, mate - may I suggest that you read and study the history of Golden Retrievers? You will then discover how many generations and careful work it takes to create a new breed. You don't just throw two dogs together and 'create' a new breed. They sound more of a show type of dog since you are breeding them for the look and size of their tails rather than working abilities? Until this new breed is recognized by KC then I'm afraid they will be nothing but mongrels or a 'cross' if you like this word better. Natasha

Really sorry to hear about you loosing your money - what a disappointment! I had my first lot of kennels from them and are currently looking into expanding but I have to agree with Kev: I wouldn't like to pay upfront for an order as some of these kennel companies seem to close down without any pre warning Natasha